Multicylinder compound engine



Sept. s. 1925. 1,553,o22

' 'C. BEN SON MULTICY LNDER COMPOUN D ENGI N E Sept. 8, 1925.-

4. Sheets-Sheat 2 Filed Aug. 28. 1922 C. BENSON MULTICYLINDBR coMPouNDENGINE Sept 8. 19254 Filed- Aug. 28. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet, 3

Sept. 8, 1925 I 1 553 022 C. BENSON MULTICYLINDEH COMPOUND ENGINE FiledAug. 28, 1,922 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES CARL BENSON, OF GARY, INDIANA.

MULTICYLINDER COMPOUND ENGINE.

Application filed August 28, 1922. Serial No. 584,'795.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CAnL BENsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Gary, in the county of Lal-re and State of Indiana, haveinvented certain new and useful mprovenents in Multicylinder CompoundEngines` of which the following is a specification.

The present invention re lates to inprove ments in multi-cylinderengines and in particular to the compound type embodying high and lowpressure cylinders, adapted more especially to be operated by means ofsteam.

The prinary object of my invention is to provide a simple form of engineof this class designed more particularly for adaptation to the field ofautonobile Construction and these improvements are characterized as tonovelty by the provision of a special piston arrangement and drvingconnection, together with an effective valve mechanism whereby a mostefi'icient power plant is pro` duced for the purpose indicated.

W'ith the above and other objects in View, the invention consists incertain combinations and arrangements of the parte as will more fullyappear as the description proceecls, the novel features thereof beingpointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through an engine Constructionenbodying my improvements, showing one of the pistons at the beginningof its power stroke.

Figure 2 is a View similar to that of Figure 1 with the pistons at anintermediate position and the distribution valve rotated to a positionat substantially right angles to that clisclosed in Figure l.

Fgure 3 is a sectional View on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken about on the plane indicated by theline 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the valve mechanism on the line 5-5of Figure 2. .i

Figure 6 is a detail view of the rotating valve member, partly insection se as to show the steam passages and eXhaust pas- ;sage thereof.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the valve member shown in Figure 6looking at the same at right angles to the position shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional View through the valve member of Fgure 6.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective View of the slide or reversing valve.

Figur-e 10 is a sectional View through the end of the valve chest withthe valve member removed and showing more clearly the arrangement of thesteam and eXhaust passages.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view through a piston unit.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all of the views of the drawings, by likereference characters.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the cylincler castingor block which may have any desired number of cylinders, but as hereshown, is provided with a series of such cylinders arranged in a circle,each cylinder unit consisting of a high pressure cylinder 2 and a lowpressure cylinder 3. To this end there is formed in the cylinder castinga central skirt or sleeve Q of relatively small diameter forming thehigh pressure cylinder in which is mounted the high pressure piston 4.By reference more particularly to Figure 11, the peculiar pistonconstruction will be clearly understood. The high pressure piston 4 issurrounded by a low pressure piston 5, each of these being formed withopposing, elongated extensions t', 5', having angular eXt-remities 4",5", through which bolts 6 are passed to connect the two pistons into asingle unit. It will be noted that a narrow space 7 is left by thisConstruction or arrangement so as to receive the cylinder skirt Q Themovement of the piston unit is transmitted by means of a commonconnecting rod 8 to what I will term` for the purpose of thisdescription a rocker member 9 of cup-like form, the spindle 10 of whichis mounted on a center common to the series of pistons. This spindle, orcrank pin, more Strictly speaking, is connected by an angle hearingplate 11 with a crank disk 12 Secured to a driving shaft 18 projectingthrough a crank case 14. The connection at each end of the connectingrod 8 is a universal joint connection and it will be apparent that in;the rotation of the rocker member 9 its spindle describes a conicalcircuit with the crank and shaft and it is understood, ot course, thatthe pistons take steam successively, making a continuous pressure on thecircuit of the crank.

Secured to the head of the cylinder easting is a valve chest in which ismounted a rotary alve member 16, shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 7of the drawings, and motion is transmitted to this member by means ofthe connection of its stem 17 with a crank plate 13 to which the innerend of the spindle 10 is Secured. The extremity of the stem 17 isjournaled in a supporting yoke 19 having opposite trunnions 20 bearingin a ring 21, also having opposite trunnions 2 hearing in the rim ot therocker member 9, which thereby is adequa'tely supported to receive thepower stresses imparted to it by the pistons.

Reverting to the Construction of the valve member 16, reference toFigure 8 will disclose the tormation of separate outer, arcuate passagesor channels 23 for supplying steam to the low pressure cylindersandseparate inner channels 24: tor supplying steam to the high pressurecylinders.` Each of these channels is provided with an inlet port,designated 23 and 24', respectively, and the tormer are designed toregister with the high pressure cylinder ports 23 while the latter arearranged to register with the low pressure cylinder ports 24:?, in thecycle of operation of the engine.

Mounted upon the rotating valve member 16 is a `coacting slide valve 25which is formed with a low pressure steam passage26 "and 'an exhaustpassage 2?, this valve tunetioning as a reversing'valve in the operationor the engine.` Sliding movement is impartedcto" this slide valve bymeans of a reve rsing lever '28 which is connected to a thrustcollar 29mounted on the stem extension 30 of the valve member 16, the collar 29having an 'arm' 3l connected by a link 32 to a bell' crank 33, the freeend of which engages in the recess or notch 34 containing a spring 35,so coacting with the bell crank as to hold the valve member in itsoperated position.

Speaking with reference to the operation ot the slide valve 25 and theposition thereof shown in Figure 2, it will be noted that the passage 26establishes communication through the rotating valve between the highpressure cylinder at one side and the low pressure cylinder at theopposite side, while the passage 27 receives the exhaust from the lowpressure cylinder and passes it to an eXhaust passage 36 formed in theupper end of the Valve stem 17, this last mentioned passage openinglaterally of the stem into an annular passage 37 surrounding the stem'from which the exhaust passes through a passage .or passages 38 to theatmosphere.

lVhile the operation of the engine will probably be apparent from theforegoing description, it will be advantageous to briefiy refer to thesame at this point.

In the intermediate position occupied by the pistons in Figure 2, steamis entering the valve chamber 15 by means of a conduit 39 from which itpasses through the outer steam port 23' into the high pressure passage23" and to the' high pressure cylinder 2.

The opposite cylinder is moving inwardly on its exhaust stroke and thesteam from the high pressure cylinder 2, as shown by the arrows, entersthe opposite passage 23 passing through the outer channel 23 registeringtherewith into the passage 26 of the slide valve, which passes the steaminto the inner low pressure channel 24 to the low pressure cylinder ofthe opposite cylinder unit. The low pressure cylinder, as shown by thearrows, is exhausting through the valve passages 27, 36, 37 and out toatmosphere by the passage or passages 38. The impetus of the drivingpiston in this cycle efiects a rocking ot the member 9 and imparts arotary motion to the crank disk 12, this rotation in turn shitting thevalve so that the next cylinder becomes' similarly operative, resultingin a continuous pressure being cxerted upon the rocking beam as it movesthrough its conical circuit above referred to.

In order to equalize the pressure of the steam in the valve chest on thevalve, I preterably provide a piston 30 o-n the end of the stem 30 whichoperates in the cylinder head 30, the interior of which may be filledwith grease or oil.

The high pressure cylinder in this con: struction is provided With awater outletO and the low pressure cylinder with a corresponding outlet4:1. I preferably form the cranl case 14 with a depression 14-' :for oilwhich is splashed by the operation of the pistons and by the rotation ofthe crauk disk upon the moving parts to provide for effectivelubrication of the same. `An oil drain 14 is provided, as customary.

I desire it to be understood that as regards details of Construction,changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a multi-cylinder engine. a pluralitv of cylinder units, eachcomprising a high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder andpistons theretore connected for joint operation, a rocker member towhich said pistons are connected, a driving shaft, a` crank connectionbetween said rocker member and the shatt, a valve chest, and valve meanstherein operated from the crank connection and adapted to establishcommunication between the valve chest and the high pressure cylinder ofone cylinder unit and between the high pressure cylinder of a secondunit and the low pressure cylinder of the first unit mentioned wherebythe connected pistons are subjected to high and low fluid pressures.

In a multi-cylinder compound engine, a plurality of cylinder units, eachcomprising a high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder andpistons therefor connected for joint operation, a rocker member to whichsaid pistons are connected, a driving sllavit, a crank connectionbetween said rocker member and the shat't, a valve chest, and rotatablevalve means in said chest tor directing the steam to each cylinder unitsuccessively, said means having ducts establishing communication betweenthe valve chest and the high pressure cylinder of one unit and separatemeans for simultaneously establishing communication between the highpressure cylinder of another unit and the low pressure cylinder of thefirst mentioned unit whereby the connected pistons are subjected to highand low'fluid pressures.

In a multi-cylinder compound engine, a plurality of cylinder units, eachcomprising a high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder andpistons therefor connected 'or joint operation, a rocker member to whichsaid pistons are connected, a driving shaft, a crank connection betweensaid rocker member and the shacft, a valve chest, and valve means insaid chest comprising a rotatable Valve .member having ducts forestablishing communication with the high pressure cylinder oi' each.unit in succession and a separate duet sinultaneously coacting with thelow pressure c 'linder, said means including a member having a duetadapted to register with the last mentioned duct to establishcommunication between the high pressure cylinder of another unit and thelow pressure. cylinder of the, first mentioned unit.

4-. In a. multi-cylindcr compound engine, a phn'ality of cylinder units,each comprising a high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder andpistons therefor connected for joint operation, a rocker member to whichsaid pistons are connected, a driving shaft, a crank connection betweensaid rocker member and the shaft, a Valve chest, and valve means in saidchest comprising a rotatable valve member operated from the crankconnection aforesaid and having a duct establishing communicationbetween the chest and the cylinder units in succession and a separatevalve member operated with the first mentioned member having a coactingduct to establish communication between the cylinder units as anincident to the operation .of the first mentoned a v member whereby theconnectedpstons are subjected to high and low fluid pressures.

5. In a multi-cylinder compound engine, a plurality ot cylinder units,each comprising a high pressure cylinder and a low pres sure cylinderand pistons therefor connected for joint operation, a rocker member towhich said pistons are connected, a driving shatt, a crank connectionbetween said rocker member and the shatt, a valve chest, and valve meansin said chest comprising a rotatable valve member having ducts adaptedto register with the respective cylinder ports and a second valve memberslidably mounted on the first valve member and having coacting ductscommunicating with the cyiinder units and disposed to feed the exhaustfrom the high pressure cylinder of one unit into the low pressurecylinder of another unit.

6. In a multi-cylinder compound engine, a plurality of cylinder unitsarranged about a common center, each comprising a high pressure cylinderand a low pressure cylinder and a -piston unit in each connected forjoint operation, a rocl er member to which said piston units areconnected, a driving shaft, a crank connection between the rocker memberand the shaft, a valve chest, valve means thei-ein including a rotatablevalve member having a Sharit ar'anged centrally of the cylinder unitsoperated from the crank connection atoresaid and a slidable valve membermounted on the rotatable valve member :tor rotation therewith, and meansfor shifting said slidable valve member relative to the rotatable valvemember.

7. In a multi-cylinder compound engine, a plurality of cylinder unitsarranged about a common center, each comprising a high pressure cylinderand a low pressure cylinder and a pisten unit in each connected forjoint operation a rocker member to which said piston units areconnected, a driving shaft, a crank connection between said rockermember and the shaft, a valve chest,

valve means therein including a rotatable valve member having a stemoperatively connected with the crank connection aforesaid, said stemhaving fol-med thei-ein an ex haust passage, said rotatable memberhaving high and low pressure steam passages therethrough to communicatewith each unit, and shiftable reversing means coacting with therotatable member and having ducts therein adapted to coact with thepassages of the rotatable member to establish communication between thecylinder units and exhaust passage aforesaid.

8. In a multi-cylinder engine, a plurality of cylinder units, eachcomprising a high pressure cylinder and a low pressure cylinder andpistons theretor connected for joint operation, a rocker member to whichsaid pistons are connected, a driving shaft, a

spindle on which said rocker member is mounted, e crank disk upon thedriving shefi', to which said spindle is eccentrically connected at oneend, a yoke member to which the other end is universaliy connected, andvalve means for the cylinders including independently operablesuperposed valve members, one of which is provided with an Operatingshat connected with the spindle aforesaid.

9. In n multi-cyiinder compound engine, a plu-rality of cylinder units,each comprising a high pressure cyiinder and a low pressure cylinder andpistons therefor, a rocker member to which said pistons are connected adriving shni't with which said rocke' member is operatively connected, evalve chest, and valve means therein comprising a rotatab-le valvemember having ports to introduce high and low pressure fluidto each unitand a coacting siidable vaive member, said slidable valve member beingrotata-ble with and shiftable with respect to the rotatable valve memberto efiect reverse movement.

10. The combination with a low pressure cylinder and a high pressurecylinder therein, of a piston unit including an annuiztr low pressurepiston and a high pressure piston surrounded by the low pressure pistona skirt extension from each piston connected to each other and providedwith detachable connectng means to permit separate removel of theistons, and a connecting 'rod pvoted to the high pressure piston anddisposed within its extension.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

CARL BENSO'N.

